Chapter 82

A Way To Breakthrough

Leylin's expression softened; this was one of the rare occasions that this occurred. He still remembered this unfortunate girl and the grief and perseverance on this girl's face before.

"It's really great to see you again, how are Guricha and Dodoria?"

Leylin smiled.

Hearing this, Nyssa who was wrapped in the black cloak shuddered, and her voice was gloomy as she said, "They're all dead. Even Kaliweir, Beirut, the ones who came with us from the Chernobyl Islands, more than half of them perished...."

"My apologies...."

Leylin did not know what he ought to say. Although he did divulge a bit of information previously, it was extremely obscure. Whether or not Kaliweir and the rest could figure it out, and if they could view it solemnly were all matters of uncertainty.

Moreover, even if they discovered that something was amiss, they were only first or second grade acolytes without much aptitude. Whether or not they could obtain discriminating treatment from the academy and leave was also difficult to say.

As expected, Nyssa continued, "After getting news from you, we'd came together several times. However, there were no good measures. Not long later, the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy announced a lockdown of the whole academy, otherwise, death would be granted... Afterwards, the war began...."

Official Magi were the core strength of the war between both sides. Kaliweir, together with the others who weren't even level 3 acolytes were not fit to be cannon fodder, so heavy casualties were to be expected.

Leylin could not think of any consoling words. Nyssa too did not continue, and silence ensued.

"Mission recorded and confirmed as completed! This is your reward, please check and accept!"

At this moment, the freckled girl from behind the counter had finally raised her head, and scribbled on a piece of parchment paper with a feather quill, finally handing over a small leather sack to Leylin.

Leylin weighed the sack, and rubbing noises between magic crystals came travelling from the leather sack.

"I still have something on, so I'll take my leave first!"

Leylin said to Nyssa, leaving her with a complicated expression on her face.

"Mission is completed, time to meet with Mentor!"

Leylin walked through the gardens and came to the experiment lab where Kroft was.

* Dong Dong Dong! *

Leylin knocked on the door, following which, the door creaked open, revealing a pretty girl.

The girl was slightly shorter than Leylin by half a head and had beautiful, green hair. Her body contours were extremely seductive. Due to the proximity, Leylin could even catch a whiff of her perfume.

"Bicky! It's been a long time!" Leylin spoke softly.

"You are... Leylin!" The green-haired girl sized up Leylin suspiciously with a glance, before cheering as she leapt into his arms.

Feeling the soft perky abundance against his chest, and the fragrance that wafted into his nose, Leylin could not help but exclaim at this little girl having matured.

"Alright! I am here to visit Kroft!"

Leylin waited for a good while, and seeing that the girl did not want to leave his embrace, he could only he cajole her while patting her on the shoulders.

"Mentor is just inside, together with Merlin!" Bicky rubbed her somewhat reddened eyes, and her delicate features revealed a smile, "You being alright is really a great thing...."

Leylin nodded his head and walked into the experiment lab.

"Leylin!" Merlin greeted him first. His features did not change much from the past 3 years, only that his temperament seemed more stable and mature. After seeing Leylin, he forced an extremely ugly smile.

"Senior Merlin!" Leylin bowed. His knew that a part of Merlin's face had suffered from irreparable damage from before, so he did not mind that he was unable to portray common expressions.

After which, Leylin continued walking in.

There was only an experiment table in here. On the operating table, a white-haired, middle-aged man placed the test tube in his hands down, and his pair of golden eyes met Leylin's eyes.

"I can smell the barely faint smell of the Void Flower in your body, it seems like you really got the petals of a Void Flower!"

Kroft stared at Leylin for some time, before smiling, "You're really a lucky fellow!

"Haha..." Leylin scratched the back of his head, revealing an embarrassed expression, but deep down he was elated.

After deciding to use the Void Flower as an excuse, he had been concocting the substitute ingredients for the Void Flower.

99.98%

After huge amounts of experiments, he had obtained a type of potion which could emit the scent of the Void Flower with a similarity of 99.98%, to use as his trump card to fool others.

Of course, this potion only had a similar fragrance to the Void Flower, but it did not contain any effect of the original Void Flower at all.

Before coming to the academy, Leylin had especially sprayed some of it on his body, and now it seemed that even Kroft was fooled.

After which, Leylin only had to insist that the effect of the Void Flower was fully consumed by him, then nobody would be able to discover any gaps in his speech.

"No matter what, achieving level 3 acolyte before you are 20, you can already be considered as one of the core acolytes in the academy. Only that you have to go to the Administrative Area to register, then your various welfares and statuses will increase...."

Kroft told Leylin about some benefits and authority given to a level 3 acolyte, which would be awarded to Leylin.

Finally, Leylin could hardly wait any longer and blurted out, "Professor, this time, I'm here to ask about the matter of the official Magus that you spoke of previously...."

"I knew it!" Kroft nodded, "Ever since I saw you after your first meditation, I knew that you are resolute on the path of a Magus...."

The white-haired, middle-aged man pointed at the chairs in the lab, "Regarding this, it might take a while, so let us sit first."

Saying which, Kroft walked towards a recliner and sat down, with Leylin following behind him.

The black chair was draped with the leather of some creature, and running your hands across it gave a comfortable feeling. Between the two chairs, there was a small round table.

Bicky served two hot, steaming cups of green refreshments-- her actions was of the official standard as if she had practiced serving innumerable times-- and hurriedly retreated.

"Green Root Fruit Juice! I never thought that Professor would still keep this habit!" Leylin sniffed the fragrance, and his eyes reflected reminiscence.

"Haha... I have always liked these kinds of drinks, even when I'm idle or when doing experiments, I will still take a sip or two. Moreover, for an official Magus, 3 years is only a short time in their life!"

Kroft made several sips of the drink and then asked, "Leylin, do you know how to advance to an official Magus?"

"Please show me the way, Mentor!" Leylin's expression was extremely solemn.

"An official Magus has long since overcome the limitations of a human. They are able to harness the nature's energy and obtain a longer lifespan. Even the worst official Magus is far beyond that of a level 3 acolyte! They are extraordinary!"

Kroft's voice sounded mellow, almost as if he were singing.

"This is because of the energy and devastating strength that an official Magus controls. A long time-- maybe a thousand odd years ago, on the Luxe Castle of the south coast, all magisterium in the south coast have come to a mutual agreement to control the information about official Magi, and have even endorsed it..."

Kroft spoke of the past history of the Magus World.

"No matter what it is similar to the non-proliferation treaty of nuclear weapons of my previous world!" thought Leylin.

"From then on, before a level 3 acolyte advanced to an official Magus, they will sign a contract with the person or organisation imparting the knowledge to them. To promise that there will be in no way the concrete steps of advancing into an official Magus will be divulged. Any violators will accept the judgement of the Trial's Eye, and his soul to be scorched for a thousand years...."

Kroft looked at Leylin, "I too have signed the contract before, hence I was able to obtain the resources and information needed for advancement. Due to the restrictions of this contract, I am unable to share the information with you!"

"However, I can still tell you of some general knowledge around it!" Seeing the obviously disappointed face of Leylin, Kroft continued.

"To advance to an official Magus, the first requirement is for the acolyte to reach a certain standard in the spiritual force. From what I see, you are very close to this criteria already. Actually, for many level 3 acolyte, this is not a problem at all.

"As for the real crux, it is to have a defensive spell model of a rank 1 Spell. This model will become your innate defensive spell in the future. Also, you need a standard amount of Grine Water to complement with the breakthrough!"

Leylin listened attentively, and various emotions flashed across his eyes, "So then, the criteria to advance would be these three: A certain level of spiritual force, a defensive rank 1 spell and Grine Water! Right?"

"Indeed!" Kroft nodded his head, "rank 1 Magus spell models and Grine Water are controlled by the huge factions. Even on the counters of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, you will not be able to find them!"

Leylin smiled bitterly. He had already scouted most of the markets in the Poolfield Kingdom. There was absolutely no one place which contained Grine Water or a defensive rank 1 Spell.

From level 1 acolyte to level 2 acolyte, all that Leylin had learnt were rank 0 spells. Obviously, the Magi had made clear divisions on the rankings of spells. Moreover, they coined the spells that acolytes learnt as rank 0 spells, to differentiate between those spells of official Magi.

As for Grine Water, Leylin seemed to have seen some information pertaining to it on a ruined draft regarding Potioneering. That was a type of potion that was rather difficult for Leylin with his current abilities to brew. Moreover, many main ingredients were monopolised by the huge factions, and there were no traces of the formula.

"So then, Professor, you asked me to come back, which means that I am able to obtain the Grine Water and defensive rank 1 Spell?" Leylin suddenly asked.

"I can only say that it's possible."

Chapter 83

Bloodbath In The Secret Plane

"Contract? What contract?"

Leylin asked.

"First, you cannot reveal any information regarding the advancement to an official Magus. Furthermore, after you become an official Magus, the contract that you signed when you entered the academy would not impose any restrictions on you anymore. Hence, you must swear upon your soul, under the witness of Trial's Eye, you will be of service to the academy for 100 years!"

"After signing the contract, you will be able to obtain a defensive rank 1 Magus spell for free, and a standard amount of Grine Water!

Leylin saw an introduction to Trial's Eye before on an ancient manual. It seemed to be a massive organism with Rules from a different world. It did not have a consciousness of its own, and magicians preferred to use it as a witness when undertaking important contracts.

The effectiveness of its constraints was known to be amongst the strongest of all contracts. Moreover, there was no way to be rid of it.

Once an agreement was formed, within the span of a hundred years, even if the academy were to have Leylin sacrifice his life during a battle, he had no choice but to obey.

This agreement was similar to a slave contract, yet it had more constraints stipulated in it than in a regular slave contract.

Leylin rejected it immediately within his heart. He was a person for valued absolute freedom, so it was rather distasteful for him to be under such constraints.

Of course, on the surface, Leylin still pretended to be extremely moved, struggling for an answer.

Finally, Leylin asked, with his throat a little parched, "So, Mentor, did you sign such a contract too?"

"Indeed! And because of this, I've joined Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, and became a member of the professors!" Kroft gave a definitive reply, "Actually, the treatment that the academy gives to Magus like us - who came from abroad - is not too bad. They wouldn't let us take on extremely difficult tasks as well!"

"Professor, asking me to come back to the academy, I'm sure there is some other way?"

Leylin looked at Kroft in anticipation.

Signing a contract and obtaining resources was a very common practice, and had nothing to do with the current precarious situation the academy was in. Leylin naturally did not assume that Kroft asked him to come back for this.

After hearing Leylin's words, Kroft seemed to be happy. "Indeed, you are still as intelligent as before. Your eyes are also filled with wisdom, if not for your average aptitude, your achievements in future would definitely surpass Merlin's!"

The façade of inferiority towards Merlin was put on by Leylin. He smiled, not speaking, waiting to hear what Kroft had to say.

"Actually, the war of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy is not over!"

This sentence of Kroft made Leylin's hair stand straight.

"What?" Leylin was so flabbergasted that he stood up immediately, "Was the war not mediated after the Lighthouse of the Night stepped in to stop Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle?"

"This news is indeed accurate but is incomplete. The war between official Magi have ended, but for acolytes it is still far from ending!"

Kroft smiled wryly.

"Although Lighthouse of the Night is one of the strongest guilds around, they are not the only one. Behind Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle, there is also a powerful guild supporting them from behind.

"Hence, under the mediation of Lighthouse of the Night, although the war between both sides has ended, yet there was a special clause!"

"What is it?" Leylin could faintly discern that it had something to do with the acolytes, but he still asked.

"The opposing factions have requested us to recall all of our acolytes, and engage in a bloodbath with their acolytes in a secret plane!

"Secret plane!? Bloodbath?"

Towards Leylin who had abundant information and knowledge, only after searching in the A.I. Chip's data bank, he found the information he needed regarding those two terms.

The secret plane was a dimension used by magicians to protect their own lab and store their resources. It is created by a spell and the dimension is got by connecting to a region from the outside world.

Because of the powerful spell effects outside of these secret planes, magicians of the acolyte level could not break into it. As for some higher levelled secret planes, even if official Magi were to enter, they would also perish.

With the passing of time, some magician guilds will join forces, using spells to form a temporary secret plane, and conduct some experiments or for war/battle.

As for bloodbath, it contained the meaning of madness and massacre.

In the Magus World, if two magicians have a huge conflict that could not longer be mediated, only with death they would rest their case. Under these circumstances, they will undergo a bloodbath with a host as a witness!

Before the bloodbath, both parties would sign an agreement. After any one side dies, their families, professors and friends may not directly avenge them.

This was a kind of battle, but with the effects of spells, the contracts, too, were difficult to breach. Many magicians with dignity would engage in this life and death conflict, yet they did not wish for the collateral damage to spread. So a bloodbath was the best choice.

"So, the academy summoned us acolytes back...."

Leylin suddenly realised that his throat was extremely parched as if he were a person dying from thirst.

"During the signing of the contract, the other parties have summoned Trial's Eye as a witness, so our academy could only go according to the stipulated agreement. If not, all of us professors-- including the chairman-- will have our souls resting in eternal peace...."

"This time, it's not only you guys, even the other genius fifth-grade acolytes, including your senior Merlin, must participate in this bloodbath. Moreover, the acolytes from each of the 3 academies, will all be at the same place...."

"Wait, which is to say, the acolytes from the other two academies will join forces and attack our Abyssal Bone Forest Academy?"

Leylin felt rather dizzy, Abyssal Bone Forest Academy acolytes have already suffered tremendous casualties from the war before. As for Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle, they were forces with a level similar to Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. If any of these two were to engage in a bloodbath battle with Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's acolytes, it would be 50-50, not to mention there's two of them now.

Moreover, at the moment, there were only 50-60% acolytes remaining behind in Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.

"This is too crazy, why would the academy accept such conditions?"

"There's no choice, who asked for our academy to be in such a state? Sage Gotham's Hut and Whitewoods Castle wants to wipe our acolytes out at one go, and let the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy's legacy be broken!" Kroft smiled bitterly, "Furthermore, be it our acolytes or the enemies', they are not allowed to bring in any battle items of official Magus strength. This is programmed into the defensive spell of the secret plane. Any tools which exceed the strength of an acolyte will immediately be rejected upon entering the secret plane...."

"Can I still leave now?" Leylin harboured his tiny glimmer of hope.

"What do you think?" Kroft looked at Leylin deeply in the eyes, and the meaning implicated made Leylin quiver.

"Alright then!" Leylin resigned to his fate and sat down. "The bad news is over? You should tell me some good news now!"

"You little brat!" Kroft smiled and shook his head. "Before the bloodbath, the academy will conduct a competition, where the rewards are bountiful. Moreover, various remuneration have increased by twofold, and the spell models and potions on the sales counter are also at a large discount...."

"They want to raise the strength of their own acolytes before the bloodbath, huh?" Leylin thought silently. He was a very optimistic person and had already faintly thought of a scenario like this before, unlike the extremely shocked appearance he was putting on right now. Since there is no room for retreat, his brain immediately adapted to the situation.

"All these have nothing to do with the advancement of official Magus. Previous, Mentor has told me that there is a method to advance, could it be inside the bloodbath?"

"Indeed! The academy has issued a mission to all level 3 acolyte like you for a blood vengeance. You are to massacre as many acolytes as you can inside the bloodbath!"

A sign of madness appeared for the first time on Kroft's bespectacled features.